From Western Post & Mudgee Newspaper 1 June 1861: POLICE Friday, May 31st Before his Worship the Mayor, the Police Magistrate and Mr. MARLAY. John HOWLETT was charged with having assaulted Samuel WORK, of -at's Castle. Samuel WORK stated on oath that about dusk on Friday last the defendant struck him behind the neck, which turned him deaf for a considerable time. On his recovering, he received a blow upon his hand, which was so band, that he would not have the use of it for a long time to come. When down defendant kicked him, pulled all the buttons off his coat and shirt, and tore his necktie to pieces. Dr. CUTTING said he was called in to attend WORK, who was suffering from a difficulty of breathing, which arose from a blow he had received; he had a contused wound on the hand about 2 ½ inches long, which had evidently been inflicted by a kick of a boot or else from a blow of a rough stick. The injury was such that it would prevent him from using his hand for a considerable time. John CLARK, shoemaker, of Green Swamp, said WORK came to his place about 9 o'clock, and said he had been waylaid, and as it was 4 ! o'clock in the morning requested that he might remain till daylight. Mrs HARVEY said she was returning home from Mudgee on Friday evening; as she passed Julian's WORK asked her to give him a lift. When she arrived at defendant's fence (who was related to her) she stopped. WORK tried to get out, but not being able, HOWLETT helped him; when he got out WORK put himself into a fighting attitude and asked defendant who he was, and struck him. HOWLETT returned the blow, which knocked him down. WORK then challenged him to a fight, if he would give him the high ground; he then "shaped" and HOWLETT knocked him down and walked into his house, leaving WORK on the road. WORK was drunk when he got into the cart; when he got out he could hardly stand, but was able to "shape" for fighting. Was quite sure WORK struck the first blow. The Bench said that although the complainant was drunk and had been provoking, defendant had no right to take the law into his own hands; they therefore! fined him 40s and costs, or seven days' imprisonment. James KENNEDY summoned for assaulting his wife. Mrs KENNEDY said her husband had been away all one night and the following day. She went to bed early the next night and locked the door; he shortly after came home and asked for his supper; she put before him all she had, when he threatened to kill her; she ran to a neighbour's house, and would not live with him again; all she wanted was her things, the children, and a little to live on. KENNEDY said - he had taken a little too much grog and was cross with his wife, but denied having ill-used her - she was a deal too fond of grog herself, and was in the habit of keeping company with very low women. He promised to go home and never again get drunk. Mrs KENNEDY would not accept his promise and requested that an order might be made for he husband to give up the children and part of the goods, and she would not have any more to do with him. The Bench having tried in vain to reconcile the woman, who was determined not to go h! ome again, bound the husband over to keep the peace for 12 months, himself for £20, and two sureties of £10 each. Martin GRADY was summoned for assaulting his wife. Jane GRADY, a respectable and evidently kind hearted woman, said, that on Monday night her husband struck her about the head which caused the blood to flow from her ears - he had lately been in the habit of keeping out till two or three o'clock in the morning - when he would come home he would ill-use her, telling her he didn't wish to kill her at once, but would do it by slow degrees. She sometimes earned £3 a week by washing; when she asked him for money to pay the weekly bills, he abused and hurt her. GRADY confessed to having "hammered" his wife, but not without occasion; it was very hard for a man to work all day and go home and cook his own meat. Mrs GRADY said the reason was, he would not give her money for meat. The Bench strongly advised a reconciliation. Defendant said he would rather go to the lock-up for six months. He was then sentenced to 7 days imprisonment, and to find security to keep the peace for 12! months. After he was taken away, Mrs GRADY earnestly entreated the Bench not to lock him up, all she wanted was that he should be bound over to keep the peace. After pressing her application, the Magistrates sent for the prisoner, and told him that his wife had begged him off, and that he had to thank her for being released; he had evidently a very kind hearted wife, and if he was ever again brought before them, they would punish him severely. ***END*** Annette Piper Please note: Every effort has been to transcribe the above information correctly, however errors may have inadvertently been made. Spelling of surnames/places as appears in original.